June 3, 2013

howdy familia!!!

I cannot believe that school is out for yall!!! That is pretty crazy! Ben, a senior???? That is pretty weird. That means he really is old! I am super excited to hear the lovely tree outside my window got a trim, but does that mean it is still there haha? That is pretty crazy that Missouri had some tornadoes too. I am glad Cameron is safe and sound. I think our family needs to be ready for the time when the disaster doesn't miss us. Congrats Ben and Penny on your awards!! Way to go!!!

So my new companions are absolutely FANTASTIC!!! Hermana Cisneros is from Salta, Argentina and has one year in the mission. She is leader capacitation something or other and training two gringas. Her argentinian accent is not very strong, so I can understand her pretty much all the time. She also has had a gringa as a companion always minus when she trained Hermana Stegagnini. Hermana Phelps is from California and studied Spanish before the mission. She is a talented poem writer, and has just finished a poem in Spanish!!! She is 5 10 which means she basically is a giant here in Chile.

This week was FANTASTIC!!! Especially yesterday, Sunday. The night before we visited with la familia Sandoval who are fantastic. There are three brothers with their familias that live in the same house and they have hardly anything. They only have one simply chair. They are super humble and very faithful. We also taught Carlos on Saturday. Chileans talk A LOT and Carlos is no exception, but he actually sat there and listened as we taught. He also came to Church again yesterday and we were ECSTATIC to say the least. We also taught a family, la familia Caro, this past week. Before the CVC (traveling visitors center) I had met Marcela (the mama) and invited her to the activity, but never really saw her again. We have been passing by a lot but she is never there. Thursday we finally saw her and taught her. Her and her two daughters sat, listened, and agreed to be baptized when they received an answer. It is amazing how the Lord prepares people. Then last night we went by and taught the whole family including the Dad. They have a baptism date in July, and we are praying that all goes well. 

It is amazing to see the Lord here at work in Chile. It is an honor to serve here, but in reality I am not doing much. The Lord is doing all the work and allowing us to help in the little way we can. The Lord truly prepares people and if we are willing to work and share the Gospel He will lead us to the people that are ready. My first 6 weeks here we didnt do much, but now we are teaching people and have investigators. Thank you for letting me serve and paying for my mission Mom and Dad!!! This work truly is the work of the Lord and the Lord has so many people that need to hear the Gospel! We had a meeting for all the new missionaries (in the first 12 weeks of their mission) and President Wright talked to us. He said missionaries always ask what they can do after the mission to always be active and faithful in the Church, know who they should marry, etc. He read us a few scriptures and basically it is the small things. What family is there that reads the scriptures together, goes to church, prays together every night, has family home evening every week that isnt active? Also, what inactive member is praying every night, studying the scriptures, serves faithfully, does their home or visiting teaching, etc.? There is no secret recipe for staying faithful and active. It is doing the little things. If you want to read more, (1 Nephi 18 verse 21) (1 Nephi 16 verses 28 through 29) (Alma 37 verses 6 through 8) (D&C 64 vs 33) (D&C 123 verses 16 through 16) (2 kings 5 verses 1 through 15). He also told us There are people in the future that are depending on the small things we are doing now. I know that this is true. He also told a story and at the end of it was a probing question. From God "Are you still going to love me if I tell you no?" 

Stay strong. Never waver in the faith. Keep doing the little things and share the gospel with EVERYONE!!! You are offering salvation and showing you love them by doing so. The worst thing that can happen is they tell you no. I love all of you!!!

Love, 

Hermana Taylor